© Provided by The iPartygoers enjoy a test event in Liverpool in April (Photo: Getty)
Nightclubs and music venues have been among the businesses hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic.
They have been closed for over a year, and will be the last to reopen under England's lockdown roadmap.
However, the grand reopening is now little over a month away, with the fourth and final step of the roadmap scheduled for 21 June.
This is the date the Government plans to lift "all legal limits on social contact", meaning people will be allowed to gather in groups of any size, both indoors and outdoors.
However, some social distancing may remain, and masks may still be mandatory in some public spaces, which could pose issues for nightclubs.
What will nightclubs be like when they reopen?
The Government has said the opening of nightclubs and large venues will be subject to the results of a scientific events research programme.
This programme will "test the outcome of certain pilot events through the spring and summer, where we will trial the use of testing and other techniques to cut the risk of infection".
Some 6,000 partygoers attended a test event in Liverpool on the last weekend of April. Ticket holders did not have to socially distance or wear masks, but had to display the results of a negative Covid test upon entry.
This may be the route forward for nightclubs when they reopen in June.
The other option is for social distancing to remain in place, with markings on dance floors, temperature checks on entry and people having to wear masks. However, this would be much more difficult for staff to manage.
What will change on 17 May?
Social contact
Most social contact rules will be lifted outside, although gatherings of more than 30 will be banned.
Indoors, up to six people or two households can meet.
An announcement is expected around the relaxing of social distancing to allow people to hug friends and family.
Reopening
Cinemas, outdoor theatres, hospitality, soft play areas, all remaining accommodation, and indoor sports will reopen.
This will allow for overnight stays with people not in your household or bubble and will mean customers can sit indoors in hospitality venues.
Performances and sporting events indoors will reopen but with a capacity of no more than 1,000 people or half-full - whichever is lower.
Outdoor venues, such as stadiums, will reopen with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full and, in larger venues where crowds can spread out, up to 10,000 people or a quarter of capacity will be allowed.
Travel
People will be able to travel abroad to green list countries without having to quarantine on their return, and to amber list countries with quarantine.
Family events
Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions, funerals and wakes. Other life events will be permitted such as bar mitzvahs and christenings.
Masks
Evidence is being reviewed around whether mask wearing in schools could be scrapped.
What's next?
The Government's roadmap for lifting lockdown states that, after 17 May, the next set of restrictions would be scrapped no earlier than 21 June.
From this date it is hoped legal limits on social contact can be removed. This would allow for nightclubs to reopen and all remaining restrictions on large events, performances, wedding and all other life events to be lifted.